Debug Bar vs Developer Debug Mode (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Developer Debug Mode has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) while Debug Bar leads in active installations (20K+ vs 10). Both are free WordPress plugins. Debug Bar has accumulated 2.1M+ total downloads while Developer Debug Mode has 138.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Debug Bar | Developer Debug Mode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 69 | ◄ | 1 |
| Active Installs | 20K+ | ◄ | 10 |
| Total Downloads | 2.1M+ | ◄ | 138 |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 month ago | ◄ | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2026 | |
| Age | 16 years | 2 months | |
| WP Requires | 3.4+ | 5.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 7.0+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.1.8 | 1.2.5 |
Rating Breakdown
Debug Bar
Developer Debug Mode
Download Trends
Recent Reviews
Debug Bar Reviews
Simple and easy
It works…
Works perfectly
Finding bugs is very easy and efficient with that plugin. I can highly recommend it.
Seemingly abandoned
Debug Bar is still listed in WordPress’s own developer documentation as a go-to debugging tool, yet it hasn’t been updated in over a year and throws PHP errors. It’s a clear example of Automattic prom
Developer Debug Mode Reviews
No reviews yet
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Debug Bar or Developer Debug Mode more popular?
Which has better ratings — Debug Bar or Developer Debug Mode?
Are Debug Bar and Developer Debug Mode free?
Which plugin has better support — Debug Bar or Developer Debug Mode?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.